Working to Serve

Long time College Place resident Ogden Aaby’s career as a hospital and school administrator led him to work in many places around the world including Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Singapore. Following his retirement in 1975, his family returned to the Walla Walla area where Ogden remained busy. A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ogden enjoyed gardening and working. Ogden and his wife, Amelia “Amy” (Laschkewitsch) att., who lives in College Place, raised a daughter and two sons. Daughter Johnette Dederer att. lives in Springfield, Ore., son Anthony lives in College Place, and son Bruce att. lives in Plaentia, Calif. Ogden has three surviving brothers: Carylye, and Gene ’50, and three grandchildren. Ogden was born February 12, 1917, in Cheyenne, Colo., and died Jan. 2, 2007, at Eagle Springs Specialty Care Community in College Place.

A compassionate healer

At a young age Neil Thrasher developed an interest that would later turn into a passion for medical missionary work. After graduating with a medical degree from Loma Linda University and pursuing his board certification as a radiologist, Neil spent his first two years as a physician serving as a medical officer in the Korean War. After his tour of duty he and his wife, Lucille, decided to answer a call to work as medical missionaries in Thailand. Over the course of his medical career, Neil spent 32 years in Southeast Asia interspersed with periods of time in the United States, often focused on upgrading his medical skills. Neil was known not only for his enthusiasm towards his work but also for his compassionate spirit demonstrated by his volunteer work at refugee camps and an organization of free clinics in remote villages. The Thrashers had five children, Pamela Thrasher Tait ’69, Andrea Thrasher, Sylvia Thrasher att., Rhett Thrasher, and Kurt Thrasher att.; and two grandchildren, Allison Tait Melino and Zachary Thrasher. Neil is also survived by a sister, Thais Thrasher Sadoyama ’52. Neil was born May 13, 1921, and died March 17, 2006.